Those working, living or studying in or around Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks are 15 percent more likely to be diagnosed with World Trade-related cancer, according to Mount Sinai study.
Photo by: Los Angeles Times

Cancer diagnosis among 9/11 first responders to World Trade attacks increasing (VIDEO)

Those working, living or studying in or around Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks are 15 percent more likely to be diagnosed with World Trade-related cancer, according to Mount Sinai study.
Photo by: Los Angeles Times

So far 1,140 people exposed to the World Trade Center Ground Zero after the September 11 attacks have been diagnosed with cancer. That number is continuing to grow according to the doctors and nurses treating the heroes.

In advance of the 12th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Mount Sinai Medical Center has released a study which found a 15 percent higher rate of cancer among September 11 responders who were exposed to the toxins at Ground Zero.

As of August 2013 1,140 responders and people who worked, lived or studied in lower Manhattan have been certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to have a World Trace Center-related cancer. Experts say that this is just the start.

Back in 2011 Dr. Laura Crowley, assistant professor of preventive medicine at Mount Sinai Medical School, spoke about the World Trade attacks survivors coming in with symptoms.

She said, “New patients are still coming in, people who say they went to the doctor and have been ignoring symptoms for a long time…It's important to figure out if it's related to World Trade Center exposure and will develop into something in the future."

The Irish American doctor said that those coming in are showing symptoms including a persistent cough, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, headaches, nosebleeds, acid reflux, gastrointestinal illnesses, sarcoidosis, interstitial lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sinusitis, sleep apnea and a loss of lung function or sense of smell. She said that although some people get better, others don’t.

NYPD Detective Amadeo Pulley (47) was diagnosed with WTC-related cancer in May. He spent 50 days helping out at Ground Zero.

“But I told my family and two kids I’m gonna be fine. We will get through this.”

Dr. Jim Melius, chairman of the steering committee for the WTC Responder Medical Program and a 9/11 Health Watch board member, said, “There are more cases out there, because we just know of the people in our government-funded medical programs, not those who have been treated by their private doctors.”

He added, “Because of the carcinogens in the air at Ground Zero, people who were exposed are vulnerable. And with cancer, there is a delay.”

Tina Engel, an oncology nurse at North Shore Hospital’s WTC clinic, Queens, said, “Sadly enough, I am here just two months, and I have identified a dozen new cancer cases, and I have another 25 patients whose diagnostic test results are pending.

“The good news is that with the new [Zadroga] federal funding, I get what I need when I need it for our patients. Their biopsies and scans are turned around in a week. Cancer trumps everything.”

Detective Pulley successfully had more than half his left kidney removed on July 25. His prognosis is good, he has five percent chance of the cancer recurring.

Pulley said, “I think about the guys who passed away and I am fortunate.

Yeah, I have kidney cancer, but I am still here with my family. If God forbid we were ever attacked again, I would still do the same thing.”

So far 65,000 people who got sick from 9/11 exposure are part of a WTC medical monitoring and treatment program in the New York area. For more information call 888-982-4748 or visit www.cdc.gov/wtc.